Metal Sludge Gossip Board

Who went to this tour? Richard Black left singing for Contraband after just 1 show? AI said so. So, it was Ratt/la guns/band tango w/out Contraband? after 1 show? Who went to this tour? Bang Tango's set in Auburn Hills is on YouTube, I read they only drew 4k. They were booked on setlist.fm into the big arenas and sheds, I'm sure in 91 Ratt must've struggled with this tour. Anyone go?

No, but I did see Arcade open for Bon Jovi in Tampa. Does that count?

I'm all for retelling old Sludge stories, but this one's been told 1000x, and blunderdan has been here long enough to have heard.

I’ve talked to singer of Shark Island after Shark Island show about Contraband! I told him how much I loved Contraband and videos on HeadBangers Ball! He doesn’t have fond memories of band…but I do!!

I’ve talked to Traci Guns before about Contraband! He didn’t like the way it came out sounding..but I did!

I had no idea All The Way From Memphis was cover when released ..and I shouldn’t….what magical time when that was shown on HeadBangers Ball with Mr Cathouse introducing it!!!

Hey I still have Contraband cd longbox!

Contraband was only on tour for 1 show?…well at least it was taped for ABC In Concert!..ContraWIN!!!!

i saw the poplar creek show of that tour

I seem to recall a lot of finger pointing after the fact, especially when it totally bombed and nobody gave a F#@k. A lot of hype, a lot of cooks in the kitchen, and turmoil from within almost from the jump.

Also... I seem to remember it was all bands under the same Management umbrella, and there were some complaints within that all of the other members of said bands, ie: Ratt, Vixen, L.A. Guns, etc... were not thrilled as this 'super group' was taking away from the focus on their original bands.

Something else I vaguely recall, is that there were some issues with members claiming the management company was double-dipping, or shall we say triple-dipping and more.

In short, the entire package guarantee, merchandise sales, etc... were all being commissioned by the same company.

Or as they call it today, a "cash grab".

$tEvil

I remember reading an interview years ago where Black said that taking the Contraband gig broke up Shark Island

Did that matter?

Contraband was basically the Ratt encore during this tour. Michael Schenker was already playing with Ratt. They were joined by Tracii Guns. If I remember correctly, all they played was Honkey Tonk Women.

Yeah once Black quit that's what they did.

I bought the CD used for probably $5 and felt ripped off.

Fat_Elvis wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 12:31 pm I bought the CD used for probably $5 and felt ripped off.

I picked it up from Goodwill for $1 or $2 probably 8 years ago. I've never listened to it.

Black didn't quit, he was fired. He had mic or monitor problems at the first show, and instead of dealing with it, he threw the mic down and walked off stage, leaving the other guys hanging. He fucked up.

...and that was it.

Sleek wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 4:32 pm Black didn't quit, he was fired. He had mic or monitor problems at the first show, and instead of dealing with it, he threw the mic down and walked off stage, leaving the other guys hanging. He fucked up.

...and that was it.

Sounds like a total pro.